J R R Tolkien

Today in History 09/21 (B-29 Superfortress)

US Air Force B-29 Superfortress bombers (© Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images)(1942) One of history’s largest warplanes takes to the skies
The B-29 Superfortress makes its maiden flight from Seattle’s Boeing Field. Almost 4,000 of the enormous US combat planes will be built, including the two that will drop the world’s first atomic weapons over Japan.
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing, which was flown primarily by the United States during World War II and the Korean War. It was one of the largest aircraft operational during World War II and featured state-of-the-art technology. Including design and production, at over $3 billion it was the single most expensive weapons project undertaken by the United States in World War II, exceeding the cost of the Manhattan Project by between $1 and 1.7 billion. Innovations introduced included a pressurized cabin, dual-wheeled, tricycle landing gear, and an analog computer-controlled fire-control system directing four remote machine gun turrets that could be operated by a single gunner and a fire-control officer. A manned tail gun installation was semi-remote. The name “Superfortress” continued the pattern Boeing started with its well-known predecessor, the B-17 Flying Fortress. Designed for the high-altitude strategic bomber role, the B-29 also excelled in low-altitude nighttime incendiary bombing missions. One of the B-29’s final roles during World War II was carrying out the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Maximum speed: 356.98 mph
Range: 5,592 miles
Maiden flight: Sep 21, 1942
Length: 99′ 0″
Wingspan: 141 feet
Notable aircrafts: Enola Gay · Bockscar · Big Stink · The Great Artiste · Full House · Jabit III

Boeing-Wichita B-29 Assembly Line - 1944
Boeing assembly line at Wichita, Kansas (1944)
wiki/Boeing_B-29_Superfortress
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(1942) One of history’s largest warplanes takes to the skies.
Also on this day,

1780 | Benedict Arnold plots to betray US Continental Army
General Benedict Arnold is dissatisfied with how his US Continental Army career has progressed and today meets with his ostensible enemy, British Major John André, to handover of his command, West Point, to the redcoats. His plot later exposed, Arnold’s name will become a byword for treason or betrayal.
1937 | ‘The Hobbit’ is published in London
J.R.R. Tolkien’s new novel ‘The Hobbit’ is published in London, and will sell out fast as the Oxford professor’s tale proves a hit with readers and critics alike. Publishers request a sequel, and more than a decade later ‘The Lord of the Rings will be delivered.
1970 | A football tradition starts as ‘Monday Night Football’ debuts on ABC
Don Meredith, Keith Jackson, and Howard Cosell call the action as the Cleveland Browns meet the New York Jets in the debut broadcast of ‘Monday Night Football.’ The ABC network show will garner great ratings and become an institution in prime-time TV sports viewing.

Today in History 09/21/17

Engraving depicting American army officer Benedict Arnold handing papers to British officer John Andre during the American Revolutionary War (© Stock Montage/Getty Images)(1780) Benedict Arnold plots to betray US Continental Army
General Benedict Arnold is dissatisfied with how his US Continental Army career has progressed and today meets with his ostensible enemy, British Major John André, to handover of his command, West Point, to the redcoats. His plot later exposed, Arnold's name will become a byword for treason or betrayal.
Benedict Arnold was a general during the American Revolutionary War, who fought for the American Continental Army, and later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fortifications at West Point, New York, overlooking the cliffs at the Hudson River, and planned to surrender them to British forces. This plan was exposed in September 1780. He was commissioned into the British Army as a brigadier general.
Born: Jan 14, 1741 · Norwich, CT
Died: Jun 14, 1801 · London, England
Spouse: Peggy Shippen (m. 1779 - 1804) · Margaret Mansfield (m. 1767 - 1775)
Buried: St Mary's Church, Battersea
Children: Lt.-Gen. James Robertson Arnold (Son) · John Sage Arnold (Son) · Capt. William Fitch Arnold (Son) · Sophia Matilda Phipps (Daughter) · Henry Arnold (Son) · Lt. Richard Arnold (Son) · Lt.-Col. George Arnold (Son) · Lt. Edward Shippen Arnold (Son) · Captain Benedict Arnold, VI (Son) · Mary Arnold (Daughter)
Parents: Hannah Arnold (Mother)
Highlights
  • 1776: Arnold was promoted to brigadier general for his role in reaching Quebec, and he maintained an ineffectual siege of the city until he was replaced by Major General David Wooster in April 1776.

  • 1776: General Washington assigned Arnold to the defense of Rhode Island, following the British seizure of Newport in December 1776, where the militia were too poorly equipped to even consider an attack on the British.

  • 1779: Peggy and Arnold married on April 8, 1779.

  • 1780: In July 1780, he was awarded command of West Point.

  • 1780: On August 3, 1780, Arnold obtained command of West Point.

  • 1801: He died after four days of delirium on June 14, 1801, at the age of 60.

wiki/Benedict_Arnold
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